Combinatorial treatment with β-glucanase enzyme and chlorhexidine induces cysticidal effects in Acanthamoeba cyst.

Acanthamoeba cysts have a cellulose cell wall made up of a solid layer of β-glucan, which confers resistance to the dormant phase of this microorganism. The ability of Acanthamoeba to change to this dormant phase causes difficulties in treating its infection at the cyst stage as compared to the trophozoite stage. Therefore, targeting cyst total mortality can help to prevent re-infection in patients.